I will like to start my presentation by first of all examining the concept of racial dignity. Racial dignity stems from two words: Race and Dignity.

Race -: The second edition of the Collins English dictionary defined race as "a group of people of common ancestry, distinguished from others by physical characteristic, such as hair type ,colours of eyes and skin stature, etc. It further went on to state that the "principal races are Caucasoid(Whites) Mongoloid(Asian) and Negroid(Blacks), and the human race consisted of human beings collectively. From the above definition of race, one can vividly see that, the term race is just a way of distinguishing human beings based on the different characteristics and culture which they posses. It is a way of identifying and classifying human beings into different groups based solely on differences in physical attributes and ancestry backgrounds. It therefore, means that the term "race" in reality has nothing to do with superiority or perfection. If this is correct, how come in today's world a particular race is deemed more inferior than another and vice versa? In other for us to delve into the anomalies surrounding the discrepancies in different races, we have to look deeply into the meaning of the word Dignity.

Dignity-: Merriam-Webster online dictionary defined dignity as: "the quality or state of being worthy, honoured or esteemed". Other definitions include: Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance, the respect and honour associated with an important position, a high office or rank, the ceremonial symbols and observances attached to a high office.

Forms of dignity- : From the above definitions, one can clearly observe that dignity can be understood in two forms:
First, dignity can be understood in personal terms. Personal dignity operates at the level of the individual, and is perhaps best understood as a sense of perspective on self-worth. To have personal dignity is to appreciate oneself sufficiently that one would withstand pressures to lower one’s self esteem. The perspective for which dignity can be seen as self worth is for instance, what we at codewit try to do by creating awareness amongst Africans and the black race as a community. An awareness of self worth and value, which attempts to reinvigorate our strengths and potential as human beings and as a dignified race. Dignity can also be understood to operate at the level of community. At the communal level, inclusion is the essence of dignity. To treat another with dignity is to consider another presumptively worthy of full integration into community membership. Dignity, in this sense, is universal and undifferentiated respect for
social value. It is universal in that dignity inheres to every member of the community. It is undifferentiated in that the forms of social respect extended through an acknowledgment and confirmation of dignity are equal among all community members.

Problems associated with racial dignity and the way forward:- This brings me back to initial question.." how come in today's world a particular race is deemed more inferior than another and vice versa..?" The answer to that question is not farfetched. For centuries past, the black race in every part of the globe, had been skilfully brainwashed to the point where he accepted the white man's theory that he, as a Negro, was inferior, however, deep down within us we wanted to believe that we were the equal of any man; but didn't know where to begin or how to resist the influences that had conditioned him to take the least line of resistance and go along with the white man's views. Racial dignity therefore, requires the basic rudiments of understanding that the pursuit of racial justice through legal means demands acknowledgment and confirmation of the essential dignity of persons subordinated on the basis of race.
This requires that one must pay attention to both self worth dignity and communal/societal dignity. Holistic respect for dignity of another requires that one view others as possessing not only inherent dignity at the personal level – that is, equal humanity – but also a presumptive social worth that makes possible sincere inclusion and acceptance into one’s own community.

The demands of self worth dignity :– respect for equal humanity – require us to historicize, contextualize, and deepen the discussion. One cannot acknowledge another’s equal humanity without first interrogating the nature of that person’s humanity, as well as one’s own. This entails, among other things, a strong consideration of the lived experience of racial minorities. This means examining and coming to terms with the historical and present forms of oppression that provide content to the peculiar racial reality of subordinated racial groups. For Africans, this may entail a deepened sense of appreciation of how the legacy of slavery, segregation, and stubborn beliefs in cultural inferiority continue to negatively impact their lives. For the majority of Africans living in Finland and other European countries, this may entail a greater appreciation of the ritual degradation and ethnic discrimination experienced by immigrant, low and highly skilled workers, it may also include a greater sensitivity regarding the extended history of governmental and nongovernmental oppression, alienation, and stereotyping that continue to constrain social and economic mobility of indigenous Africans. It also entails a greater appreciation of how the legacy of alienation and marginalization exemplified by racist naturalization policy, labour exploitation, and internment feed contemporary mythology of Africans as “perpetual foreigners” that plagues and confounds second, third, and fourth generation African-Finnish/European citizens. Also racial dignity must affirm communal dignity or presumptive worthiness of social inclusion. This is not an easy task, for one cannot affirm another’s presumptive social value or worthiness of inclusion into a community without first interrogating the conditions of that community which make inclusion possible. If whites are to affirm the dignity and presumptive worthiness of inclusion of racial minorities, a necessary precondition is that whites examine critically and self-consciously not only the effects of racial subordination on minorities, but the myriad ways in which the culture of racial subordination has distorted and disfigured majority society in general and white identities in particular. That is, dignity demands that whites not only indulge the prospect of an ever-expanding circle of people deserving respect, but also reflexively examine the question of what allows the white race to see racial minorities as their presumptive inferiors and unworthy compatriots in the first place.

Attaining and retaining racial dignity-: The time has come for the black race to come out of the sham boo that the black race is inferior, the purpose of this presentation, is to create an awareness in our souls and inculcate in our minds the ideals of being a member of the black race. The fact that we are black doesn't make us inferior or less important in any society which we find ourselves. We are black by virtue of the colour of our skins, and our physical attributes. These characteristics have nothing to do with how intelligent we can be, or how great we can become. We should begin to educate ourselves and learn more about our history as a race and as a people. We should be happy to identify ourselves as blacks with pride. Great men of honour such as Martin Luther King and James Brown once made comments like "I am black and proud" in the face of total oppression and racism. These are the kind of heroes we should look upon in tough circumstances. Self confidence As a race and people, we should learn to believe in ourselves, we should be confident of who we are and what we are capable of doing. This is where racial dignity has to come to play. We should be able to apply self worth and value in our daily life and activities. If you want others to respect you and have value for you, you need to respect yourself and have self worth for yourself. One of the problems facing the black race or Africans in particular, is the lack of self worth or self confidence. The lack of self worth, as most of us know as being transferred to us from our fore fathers who in turn received it from the slave masters(the white race). However, at Codewit Global Network ry, our mission is to change the mindset of the black race and Africans in particular. We need to realise, the fact that we are a noble race, with great potential and value and of great and significant importance in global development. We need to uphold our culture, language and beliefs irrespective of where we find ourselves. These are our only means of identification!

Conclusion:- The black race should be respected by other races. Not only should we be proud of who we are, but we have an obligation to, simply because of the sacrifices generations before us made so that we could walk and speak freely. It is our responsibility, as a race, to rise above the negative impact of this nasty
prejudice and show the world that we know better We have every right to be bitter. But let us remember that racism is not exclusive to the black race, and that other forms of prejudice akin to racism are affecting more and more people everyday. Mental slavery is such that it robs us of the true meaning to life.
We know that all men were created equal. We should prove, by progressing as a people, that we are important, dignified and exceedingly intelligent - not by laying aimless blame. We at codewit do not wish to tear down other races or to show the world that we are better than everyone else, but codewit provides an opportunity and forum for us to reflect on our past, celebrate our achievements and appreciate the present social and economic gains that we enjoy, without disrespecting other races. Codewit encourages us as a people to continue the fight for justice and equality where needed.